McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Four different Wildcats found the back of the net as Linfield women's soccer (7-5-1, 5-4-0 NWC) rolled to a 4-0 victory over Whitworth (3-8-0, 2-7-0 NWC) in Northwest Conference women's soccer action Friday evening at the Linfield Soccer Field.
McKenzie Heckman,
Sydney Garner,
Lize Rendon and
Julia Alvarez each scored, while goalkeeper
Maddie Funk recorded her third shutout of the season to help the Wildcats secure the huge victory.
Linfield wasted little time taking control of the match, opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Heckman converted a pass from
Marley Ells for her second goal of the season. The Wildcats doubled their advantage in the 16th minute as Garner scored her first goal of the year off an assist from
Fia Swanson, giving Linfield a 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats continued their offensive surge just three minutes later when Rendon found the back of the net in the 19th minute. Heckman provided the assist on Rendon's sixth goal of the season, extending Linfield's advantage to 3-0 before the midway point of the opening half. Rendon surpassed her goal total from last season that earned her All-Northwest Conference recognition, continuing to be one of the best goal scorers in the NWC.
Linfield controlled the first 45 minutes, outshooting Whitworth 9-0 and putting six attempts on goal.
Lena Caballero Uhtoff and Garner each generated early scoring opportunities, while Rendon added another shot on target before recording the Wildcats' third goal. Funk and the Linfield defense held the Pirates without a shot in the opening 45 minutes.
The Wildcats maintained their offensive pressure after halftime, adding a fourth goal in the 66th minute. Alvarez scored her second goal of the season off an assist from
Sophia Leiber, extending Linfield's lead to 4-0.
Maddy France and
Addy Sykes each added second-half shots on goal as the Wildcats continued to create opportunities.
Linfield finished with 14 shots, including nine on goal, while holding Whitworth to just three shots, all coming in the second half. Garner and France led the Wildcats with three attempts apiece, while Rendon and Alvarez each recorded two. Heckman finished with three points on a goal and an assist, while Ells, Swanson and Leiber each contributed an assist.
Funk played all 90 minutes in goal, making three second-half saves to preserve the shutout. The Wildcats' defensive effort held Whitworth without a shot throughout the opening half and limited the Pirates to three attempts for the match. For the 'Cats, it's their largest margin of victory against a conference opponent since 2023.
Women's soccer will roll into Sunday's match against Whitman riding a three-match winning streak, moving into fourth in the conference table.
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